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PAX East 2012

I figured I would book my hotel sooner than later for PAX East 2012. Specifically I was looking at the Westin Waterfront or the Seaport sicne they are the closest and showed the most activity.

It looks like neither are taking any reservations for the weekend for the 6th to the 8th of April 2012. The Marriot Waterfront looks like it will let you make an order, but at 260$. That will dig a decent hole in one's budget if you plan on staying a few extra nights (I'll most likely be paying for the entire thing again).

I don't like to assume, but in thise case I kind of have too: The Westin and Seaport are probably holding off whatever they have left for the PAX Hotel specials. The problem is that last year they ran out of those in a flash. In fact if memory serves correction, you only had a few hours if you wanted to book something at the Hotel connected to the BCEC before everything was taken. I feel like it's a bit risky to wait out and hunt down for a hotel deal, after all we are 70,000 people trying to attend this thing. I'd like to have a plan B.

I'm curious though, did anyone already book their rooms right after PAX 2012?

The Westin was around $300-450/night if you didn't get the PAX rate (discounts varied depending on if you booked in advance, pre-paid non-refundable, weekend vs weeknight rate, etc).

While I loved staying at the Westin, I can understand most people not wanting to pay their normal nightly rate. That being said, I will wait for the PAX rate, but may consider staying there even if I can't get it. It was just so darn convenient.

The Renaissance Waterfront or the Seaport were a few blocks away, but more affordable. I think I remember seeing pre-paid and normal rates for around $229-249/night for both properties. Again, these will have varying factors and also the fact that PAXE2012 falls on a holiday weekend next year.

Nice to see a few familiar faces on the forums again And yes, I will set up certain someone's with Mint Areos again.

Obviously the smart thing to do is to wait for the rates and I'll aim to get the closest thing possible. If that fails, anything else that has shuttle service will be considered.

One of the bigger lessons I learned last year was that a "respectable walking distance" may be nice on paper, but in practice, it just does not work. I was completely caught off guard by the volume of stuff I picked up throughout the day, everyday, minus the shopping even. It just accumulates and at some point all you want to do is dump that stuff somewhere. Then again, it may just be me, but there was a lot more swag and shopping to be done compared to 2010. Walking around the entire day took it's toll on both of us and every walk back to the hotel was longer and longer.

The real killer was Saturday night when we left at the closing time. 1+ hour to take a taxi, none could be found by walking further out and we had to make our way back through all the drunken patrons that had to leave their respective bars and clubs due to the Boston curfew. With all the stuff we had on us and the day's fatigue, the 25 minute walk took 45 minutes instead.

I'll admit that I did not get why so many people made a big fuss about having a hotel with 0.0 miles to location, but now I totally understand. It's definitely worth the extra money

don't do it! i know we're all antsy to plan for next year, but as some may recall, the westin overbooked for the last pax and started bumping everyone that didn't have pax-related rooms. conventions bring in loads of business, so maintaining the pax bookings will be their priority in the event of overbooking. pax rates are cheaper and more reliable, we just need to be patient.

also, for others who are considering it, i stayed at westin for the last pax and my compatriots and i all agreed the convenience was worth every dollar. i will definitely be there again next year.

What does it mean by booking too late? If it's too late to book PAX East, I, and I'm sure several others, would be screwed.

Frugus is being extreme. Do not fret. The PAX rate hotels will be announced in Sept/Oct and we will book them gloriously.

Yes indeed!

In my defense, the plan is to wait for the special offers. However I was thinking about establishing a plan B, which consisted of booking a room at a normal rate just in case I could not get onto the Hotel special bandwagon (the good rooms go fast!). I was just surprised to see that I could not book anything just now. Hence, the thread.

Also, just got word from the PAX Organizers.

Worry not! The PAX hotel block is already reserved - it just has yet to open up for PAX East 2012, we will open it in October when tickets go on sale

Interesting piece of info. Now it's time to talk about Mint Areos and that amazing Oreo within a huge chocolate chip cookie cookie.

afipanic, there will be a lot of knowledge available to you when the time grows closer, don't worry.

Frugus, Rdr, you are pillars of the PAX community as always.

For this part year, which was my first PAX, I went with a friend who could get a discounted hotel rate, and I paid an embarrassingly low rate. The hotel was about a ten minute drive to the event, and parking there was free. I drove to and from the convention centre each day, and parking there was about $10 per day. I never found the parking lot too full upon my arrival, but I was early each day. It did look pretty full by the time things got into full swing.

Pros: Cost. It saved me a lot of money to be a bit further away. Also, I had my car nearby. If we learned anything from Fallout 2, it's that having access to a car trunk makes your life much easier.

Cons: It was a bit more time to go to and from. The people staying in the Westin really seemed to have a great deal, being attached to the centre itself. Also, driving in Boston is at it's best a challenge. More often it was outright hostile. I suspect any cosplayers would be very wise to stay at the attached hotel if their costume is at all a challenge to put together and move around in.

So it's official? PAX is falling on Easter weekend? ugh....seriously I'm still gonna go but we were hoping next year to bring a bunch of people so now it's gonna be iffy

yeah, i also wish this wasn't the case. now that i've been to my first pax, i was hoping to use my experiences to convince some friends to come along next year who were on the fence about it, but if they have family stuff to do that weekend it probably won't happen. i understand there are a TON of factors that need to be considered when choosing dates and something has to give, but still, a little disappointing.

So it's official? PAX is falling on Easter weekend? ugh....seriously I'm still gonna go but we were hoping next year to bring a bunch of people so now it's gonna be iffy

yeah, i also wish this wasn't the case. now that i've been to my first pax, i was hoping to use my experiences to convince some friends to come along next year who were on the fence about it, but if they have family stuff to do that weekend it probably won't happen. i understand there are a TON of factors that need to be considered when choosing dates and something has to give, but still, a little disappointing.

I'm figuring everything else was booked...I've never been big with following religious holidays but obviously some friends family's do. My mom will be upset that I'll be missing church but other than that I can deal. I only usually go to church on the holidays anyway

Sucks that it's on Easter weekend, but guess I gotta be a heathen some time in my life. As for the hotel, I stayed in downtown when I should've stayed at the Westin. I MUST go to the concerts this year!

So it's official? PAX is falling on Easter weekend? ugh....seriously I'm still gonna go but we were hoping next year to bring a bunch of people so now it's gonna be iffy

yeah, i also wish this wasn't the case. now that i've been to my first pax, i was hoping to use my experiences to convince some friends to come along next year who were on the fence about it, but if they have family stuff to do that weekend it probably won't happen. i understand there are a TON of factors that need to be considered when choosing dates and something has to give, but still, a little disappointing.

I'm figuring everything else was booked...I've never been big with following religious holidays but obviously some friends family's do. My mom will be upset that I'll be missing church but other than that I can deal. I only usually go to church on the holidays anyway

(I though I hit reply on this like an hour ago haha)

Actually it was a bunch of factors that forced the organizers to book those particular dates. If I had more than just a few minutes to respond, I would point you towards a thread that debated this topic (heatedly) until Khoo showed up and explained why there was little choice to do so.

It's not just a question of available dates. It also had to be spaced around other conventions and important industry dates. In the end they had to make a sacrifices, not to mention that Anime Boston is going to be held at the same time at the Hynes. Last time I checked they were genuinely concerned about this and they were in talks with their organizers to have something done jointly. <- That was eons ago and frankly, I don't know what that really means so don't quote me. Heck, I'm always wrong about something. Not even sure what's up with Boston Anime at all. Someone please do a proof on whatever I do~

I strongly suggest that someone searches for that thread (as stated, I'm on the clock).

i will have to wait, it sucks and im sad. i dont know if my bf will be able to get those days off or not. so if he cant, then we are not going. i rly wanna go again, and every year. last year we stayed at the back bay and got ours early by booking with our flight as well. over all for our flights there and back and the hotel it was like 1100-1200 bucks, then all the cashe we spent there which was like 5-600. and came from NC. I rly hope he gets a heads up on getting the time off cause id rly love to go again. I will feel empty inside if i can =(

I might miss both pax prime '11 and east '12 because of something semi-ironic: I just finished school in Boston and will be continuing school in Seattle this September >.<

Having been to the first two pax east however I do have some feedback for lodging. The first year I could walk to Hynes easily and this past year I had to take the T. Being able to walk to-from your lodging provides a bunch of pro's; more sleep (if that's even possible during pax), allows you to spend the most time at the convention (had to leave before 12:30am to ensure I didn't miss the last train), and as mentioned before the ease of transportation for situations like complex cosplay or byoc

The only con would be the increased expense of lodging however if I hadn't already been in Boston I think it'd be worth it to be onsite

Shouldn't have much trouble, Anaway. Last year a lot of room share and ride share threads started popping up. I think there was even some "Going solo to PAX" threads as well. So, depending on what you're looking for, I'm sure it's going to be out there.

Yeah, there will be meetups of solo-paxers and whatnot, as was mentioned before. If you post in those threads when the time comes you might even find some people from your local area. PAX is a big gamer party, and like Rdr is saying, if you don't go *with* people, you'll still have people to hang with.

XD Hi, I am a girl. And that's cool! I am very happy I can finally go with someone now. I might bump into my other friend, but it's nice to know you have some to hang with. I totally accept your offer! I don't know how old you are, but I am going to be 19 next year. XD Hope you don't mind my age.

Oh okay, it 's just my friend isn't really going with me, since he is going with his friends now...:) I'm quite friendly, but shy. XD

At last year's PAX, admittedly my first, I came away with the impression that it would be best to either travel with one person who wants to go to all the same events as you, or a group of people you can break apart for different panels, events, and interests, and reunite later. The group is likely more easily done, although you'll always run into trouble with a crippled cell phone (data rates were pretty slow inside that building sometimes).

But hey, as you get closer, try to find people on here who want to do the same things you do as well. And I highly recommend the pre-PAX events if you can make it. Be in the pub crawl, the board games, dinner, whatever. All are great ways to meet people. So are lines - you have at least one thing in common with the people next to you there.

Be friendly. Talk to people. I promise you, it will turn out well for you.

Oh okay, it 's just my friend isn't really going with me, since he is going with his friends now...:) I'm quite friendly, but shy. XD

At last year's PAX, admittedly my first, I came away with the impression that it would be best to either travel with one person who wants to go to all the same events as you, or a group of people you can break apart for different panels, events, and interests, and reunite later. The group is likely more easily done, although you'll always run into trouble with a crippled cell phone (data rates were pretty slow inside that building sometimes).

But hey, as you get closer, try to find people on here who want to do the same things you do as well. And I highly recommend the pre-PAX events if you can make it. Be in the pub crawl, the board games, dinner, whatever. All are great ways to meet people. So are lines - you have at least one thing in common with the people next to you there.

Be friendly. Talk to people. I promise you, it will turn out well for you.

^-^ Friendly part is easy, since I like people anyway. I will try to crack out of my shell and talk to people. XD Bery shy. And thank you. :3

XD Hi, I am a girl. And that's cool! I am very happy I can finally go with someone now. I might bump into my other friend, but it's nice to know you have some to hang with. I totally accept your offer! I don't know how old you are, but I am going to be 19 next year. XD Hope you don't mind my age.

Not an issue. You'll have to deal with someone who acts like a kid in the candy store on the con show floor. I'll also be the ripe old age of 22 at next PAX East. (I colour my hair because I like the way it looks, not to hide the grey... I swear!)

But hey, as you get closer, try to find people on here who want to do the same things you do as well. And I highly recommend the pre-PAX events if you can make it. Be in the pub crawl, the board games, dinner, whatever. All are great ways to meet people. So are lines - you have at least one thing in common with the people next to you there.

Cannot echo this enough as well for everyone. I can honestly say I would not have had as much fun as I did if it were not for all the amazing people I met from participating in the Pax Pokemon League. Mucho for you all.